How to Laminate Photographs

Do you want to protect your photographs so you can save those memories and enjoy them for years to come? Laminating your photos is a great idea to help preserve them so you can continue to look back and share them. Laminating your photographs will protect them from spills, make them tear-proof, and even protect and enhance their colors. Lets go over the two easiest ways to laminate photos

Use a Pouch Laminator

A pouch laminator is a great way to quickly and easily laminate photos. We recommend you use one with a cold setting or can achieve high-quality results at low temperatures like the Coverbind Quick-Lam DH330. This is because heat can damage photos, especially if they were printed with water-based inks like those used with an ink-jet printer. The only other thing you will need is a pressure-sensitive laminating pouch that is the correct size for your photo.

Pro Tip: You have a couple of options to further enhance or protect your photo when choosing a laminating pouch. Laminating pouches that offer UV protection can stop your photos from fading over time. Matte pouches can reduce glare for nicer viewing and allow you to write details on the back. Sticky back pouches turn your pictures into stickers to add to scrapbooks, water bottles, cards, and more.

How to Laminate Your Photos Using a Pouch Laminator

1. Turn on your laminator and select the cold setting.
2. Place your picture in a pressure-sensitive pouch, aligning the edges
3. Feed the pouch folded edge first through the laminator
4. Admire your newly protected photo

If you used a pouch that was too large for your photo, just trim the excess film with a craft knife or rotary trimmer. For more information on how to trim laminated documents check out our article here.

Pro Tip: When trimming laminated projects leave a ¼” border around the paper to prevent delamination.

Use Self-Sealing Pouches.

If you don’t have access to a pouch laminator, you are in luck you can still use pressure-sensitive laminating pouches without a laminator.

Pro Tip: You can also use laminating sheets for one-sided or two-sided lamination without a laminator.

While this method isn’t as convenient as using a laminator it is still relatively easy. The adhesive in the pouch should already be sticky so all you need to worry about it aligning your document and smoothing out the film.

How to Laminate Photos with Self-Sealing Pouches

1. Peel back about an inch of the pouch’s liner, starting at the fold
2. Align your picture and stick the edge to the exposed adhesive
3. Remove the rest of the liner and smooth it onto your photo removing all bubbles or wrinkles

Pro Tip: You can use the back of a spoon to help you add extra pressure for an easier time smoothing out bubbles and creases. For more tips and tricks on laminating without a laminator check out our article here.

Laminating your photographs is easy and it’s one of the best ways to make them last longer. Try laminating your pictures with laminating pouches today.